Press Release Archive

NAZARETH, PA - C. F. Martin & Co. is thrilled to announce it is an official partner of this year's 2012 CMA Country Music Awards, and will sponsor the first-ever backstage Artists Welcome Lounge Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The lounge will be a comfortable, chic haven for all participating artists to relax, mingle with their peers, and best of all, play the beautiful Martin guitars available in the lounge during rehearsals, the red carpet and the night of the awards show. Over one dozen Martin models from custom designs, to artist signature models, to the very successful Retro Series models that debuted earlier this year, will be available to the performers for spontaneous jam sessions in the exclusive backstage lounge. Many of the CMA Awards nominees, presenters and performers are Martin fans and brand ambassadors, including Dierks Bentley, Hunter Hayes, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Zac Brown and Brad Paisley. "Martin Guitar has a long and illustrious history with country music, so we are honored to be partnering with the CMA Awards this year," said Amani Duncan, vice president of brand marketing, C.F. Martin & Co. "Martin is always excited to provide their exceptional products to established artists and rising stars alike, and what better venue to do that in then at CMAs in the company of such a stellar array of country stars!"

Give the Gift of Guitar This Holiday Season with the HD Dierks Bentley Custom Signature Edition - Bentley Up for Three 2012 CMA Nominations

NAZARETH, PA - With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, give the gift of guitar-Martin Guitar-this year! One of Martin Guitar's top 2012 custom signature artist editions is the HD Dierks Bentley, designed in collaboration with multi-platinum selling, 10-time Grammy-nominated and CMA Award winning country singer/songwriter, and Martin brand ambassador, Dierks Bentley. The HD Dierks Bentley features the classic Martin Dreadnought shape, a fitting choice as Bentley has been a Martin D-28 player for years. Bentley is also nominated for 2012 CMA Awards for Album of the Year for his chart-topping new album 'HOME,' Single of the Year and Song of the Year for "Home." Read More

2012 International Bluegrass Music Association IBMA

Nashville, TN - IBMA’s annual convention is the pinnacle of Bluegrass Music events for musicians and fans alike. This year it’s in Nashville, TN. Martin Guitar has long been a proud sponsor of Bluegrass Music. In appreciation for the many who have supported us and made Martin the Bluegrass guitar of choice, we’re throwing a party! You’re all invited to Robert’s Western World on Broadway, Tuesday Sept 25th at 6:00. It will be the place to be, featuring performances by The Moore Brothers, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, The Brazilbilly, plus the incredible Del McCoury Band & Friends.

Admission is FREE. Don’t miss it!

- www.ibma.org

Caveman Live at Ace Hotel New York

New York, NY - Caveman will play a small, intimate set to their hometown crowd in the lobby of Ace Hotel New York on Wednesday, October 3 at 5pm for 5 At 5, our ongoing series of live five-song sets by bands we love, in partnership with Bowery Presents and Martin Guitar.

MARTIN GUITAR ANNOUNCES USE OF RECYCLED SITKA SPRUCE IN PERFORMING ARTIST SERIES INSTRUMENT

Tonewood Recycled from Canadian Bridge Timbers

NAZARETH, PA - C.F. Martin & Co. announced today that it will utilize Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC®) Certified Recycled Sitka Spruce in an instrument it will unveil at the 2012 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Trade Show in Anaheim, California.

The wood, which is reclaimed from dismantled Canadian bridges where it had been used in construction, will be used on the tops of the new GPCPA4 Sapele, one of the cutaway guitars in the company's Performing Artist series. It is a "Grand Performance" body style with FSC 100% Certified Sapele back and sides and an FSC Certified Recycled Sitka Spruce top. The instrument has a gloss finish on its top and red toner on its satin back and sides. It also includes Fishman F1 Analog Electronics and a High Performance Neck. It will be delivered in a 600 Series molded case, which was chosen because of its lack of impact on deforestation.

"Martin Guitar has long been committed to research and innovation to find alternatives to rare woods," said Chris Martin, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. "The use of this recycled traditional tonewood will complement the Sapele wood that this guitar utilizes, allowing us to achieve the same structural integrity and traditional Martin sound."

C. F. Martin & Co. has been recognized for its environmental initiatives for over two decades. The company's ecological policies were formalized in 1990, embracing the judicious management and responsible use of natural materials and the introduction of alternative wood species. The company is committed to the directives of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) treaty and the U.S. Lacey Act. Martin was Forest Stewardship Council recertified by the Rainforest Alliance in 2007. It is audited annually regarding FSC Chain-of-Custody certification compliance under certificate code SW-COC-000043 and FSC License Code FSC® C008304. It has also initiated its own Sustainable Wood Guitar Series program.

In addition to exploring recycled materials, Martin has been at the forefront in tone testing and the development of alternatives for acoustic guitar construction, having introduced new models that utilize domestic woods such as ash, maple, walnut, cherry and red birch, among others. In addition, the company is researching and implementing alternatives for some models, including: patented High-Pressure Laminates for the popular X Series and Little Martin guitars; aluminum tops for the Alternative X models; Stratabond® birch laminate for neck blanks; Micarta® and Richlite®, unique fiber laminates, for fingerboards and bridges; and a shell laminate called Abalam that greatly increases the yield of precious abalone and mother of pearl for decorative inlays.

About Martin Guitar & Martin StringsC.F Martin & Co. (www.martinguitar.com) has been creating the finest instruments in the world for over 175 years. It continues to innovate, introducing techniques and features that have become industry standards including X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar and the "Dreadnought" size.

One of the world's leading acoustic instrument makers, Martin guitars are hand-made by skilled craftsmen and women, who use a combination of new design and techniques along with those introduced by the company founder.

The company is also known for producing high-quality, popular acoustic guitar strings. These include the Martin SP® LIFESPAN™ line - the fastest-growing treated string in the industry, and the Martin SP line - which uses an industry leading core wire to hold tunings better.

Martin guitars and Martin Strings are the instruments and strings of choice for musicians around the world, from the icons of rock, country, folk and bluegrass to those just beginning their careers. They can be seen across all segments of pop culture, from television (Glee, Psych, Raising Hope and American Idol) to the movies; on Broadway and in books, online, and gracing the covers of popular magazines on newsstands everywhere. Connect with Martin and Martin Strings on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube and via www.martinguitar.com and www.martinstrings.com.

Media Contacts:Aliza RabinoffDKC - for Martin Guitar212-981-5157
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